Yes, this might be an ever so slight exaggeration, but it is also not far from the truth of the matter.

Rivals are definitely worried about the climb of Albury from the club that no one took seriously to the club that could sweep the Group Nine grand finals this year.

At the moment, Albury is unquestionably the strongest club in Group Nine.

Now this assessment is based purely on positions on the respective tables, but it is a pretty reliable guide.

Not so long back Temora absolutely ruled Group Nine – and the Dragons’ strength stretched from the junior grades to first grade.

From the turn of the millennium Temora had teams at, or near, the top of each of the four (male) grades.

And the club picked up several premierships across the board.

Nowadays, Temora is a pale shadow of the once-mighty club that others envied.

The facts are absolutely damning – the only team that Temora has in the top five of any grade is in the girl’s leaguetag competition.

In the other four grades, Temora is in the bottom half of the ladder and virtually out of contention for the finals.

The situation is unbelievably grim – Temora is a town fast losing its rugby league identity.

Things are equally crook in Junee – the poor old Diesels couldn’t even scrape together enough players to have under 16 and under 18 teams this year.

Strangely, Junee thinks changing the age divisions from 16 and 18 years to 17 and 19 years will solve its problems.

How on earth this reasoning works is beyond me and others with a greater grasp of basic mathematics.

Temora and Junee have fallen on seriously hard times and the future is bleak.

The Dragons have tried several remedies – and they have all failed.

The most sobering aspect is that ideas now appear to be in short supply and Temora is just treading water.

Temora, of course, is a town under siege from other football codes. From a population of several thousand Temora is supposed to maintain teams in rugby league, rugby union, Australian football and soccer competitions.

I’m a dill, but the competition is so intense that only the most pro-active or well-funded football brand will finish on top.

Where the Dragons sit in this scenario is anyone’s guess.

Likewise, Junee is clutching at straws and going backwards.

For years now Junee has been spiralling to sorry depths, and, some think, the club is on its last legs.

I disagree, but urgent action – now, not in 2013 or 2014 – is needed to ensure the club survives.

Like Temora, Junee is a rugby league institution and must be saved.

Coincidentally, the fail of Junee has mirrored the ascent of Albury.

Over the past four years – yes, under Josh Cale’s leadership – Albury has been on the march.

For every step forward by Albury, Junee has slid further into the mire.

Remarkably, Junee has managed to keep breathing.

The painful decline of the Diesels is in stark contract to the amazing crash of Tumut.

Clearly the most successful club of the past decade – four first grade titles is true testament – Tumut has hit the proverbial wall.

In 2012, the Blues have totally imploded. Players have walked away in droves and the best performed first grade team in a decade is now a laughing stock.

Tumut plunged to an all-time low on Sunday when the team was slaughtered 100-6 by Albury.

And, as much as one diabolically bad result doesn’t kill a club, it won’t help either.

The embarrassing loss has definitely raised serious concerns about the Blues.

The cracks are showing and they are getting wider by the week.

Tumut’s sick and sad situation is frighteningly similar to the fate of Adelong-Batlow, Harden-Murrumburrah, Turvey Park and even Magpies in recent times.

Each of those clubs suffered horrendous failures on the way to football oblivion.

Harden-Murrumburrah was a basket case at the end and Turvey Park was getting beaten by cricket scores.

At least those running Turvey Park and Magpies noticed the graffiti on the walls and did something to clean up their act.

The two ailing clubs merged and are now merrily sailing along as Southcity, a club that should be the model for most of its Group Nine rivals.

As Tumut, Junee and Temora slide toward the abyss, Southcity is making great headway on all fronts.

Player registrations are among the highest any Group Nine club and show no sign of falling over.

With Southcity only in its infancy, this trend is likely to continue as the club is active in fostering juniors and recruiting senior players.

Again the thought of Kangaroos and Brothers amalgamating has surfaced and I’m sure must be a serious consideration.

Kangaroos and Brothers are not in danger of collapsing in the near future, but a merger would certainly ensure their long-term viability.

Combining the two clubs, however, would have to be done properly and with due diligence.

It couldn’t be rushed or done with shoddy workmanship or it just wouldn’t last.

Suffice to say, many in Group Nine had the same thought (hope) about a team on the border.

Albury/Lavington has sailed close to wind a couple of times and seemed headed for the rocks.

Naturally, it’s different in 2012.

The Thunder is a roaring success, with three of the five teams on top of the respective tables and the other two teams reasonably competitive.

This is a long way up field from the dark days when Albury couldn’t aim up in any grade.

It is also a shocking statistic for some of the other Group Nine clubs, particularly those plotting to undermine Albury.

Early days yet, but there is definitely a plan a foot to try to impose an import restriction policy on Group Nine.

Under the arrangement, each Group Nine club would only be allowed to have three senior “imported” players on their books every year.

Imports would equate to any player coming from another Group or country, so long as they did not have roots at the respective target club.

Obviously this would exclude players from the import list that were returning to a Group Nine from Sydney or elsewhere.

Has the penny dropped yet?

Right, Albury is the club that relies the most heavily on recruited players. Look at its current player list and there are imports left, right and centre.

To name a few: Ben Jeffery, Willie Heta, Henry Heta, Lou Goodwin, Mitch Davies, even Matt Rose.

This is the current crop, but what about Josh Cale, Dion Belford-Laulu and Tommy Gemmell – none of them were born and bred on the border.

Relax, any player that stays with a club for three years is cut from the import list, opening the door for someone else.

It’s all that easy.

The architects think it is an idea that will help all clubs through tough times.

Albury might believe otherwise.

****

WORTHY causes deserve recognition.

Wagga Junior Rugby League Referees Association is staging a fund-raising trivia night at the Rules Club at 7pm on Friday and needs tables to be filled.

Likewise, Kangaroos and Tumbarumba are holding a food-drive at Equex Centre on Saturday and the needy of Tumbarumba will benefit.

So, ring Terrance Jacobs (0402 705 973) and book a table of 10 for Friday night and also put together a hamper and drop it off at the gate at Equex Centre the following day.

Remember, football rivalries need to be forgotten when charity is on the line.

****

Team of the Week

Fullback: Ben Jeffrey (Albury)

Wingers: Seb McInerney (Junee), Dion Belford (Albury)

Centres: Andrew Heffernan (Southcity), Robbie Byatt (Tumbarumba)

Five-eighth: Jermaine Packer (Brothers)

Halfback: Aaron Byrne (Cootamundra)

Lock: Lou Goodwin (Albury)

Second rower: Luke Berkrey (Cootamundra), Ethan Tout (Kangaroos)

Props: Logan Wright (Gundagai), Peniasi Wakawaka (Tumbarumba)

Hooker: James Smart (Gundagai)